Oneida County DA investigating allegations of police misconduct

The Oneida County District Attorney’s Office is investigating allegations that a Utica police officer acted inappropriately toward young women during recent traffic stops, officials said.

Rocco LaDuca

The Oneida County District Attorney’s Office is investigating allegations that a Utica police officer acted inappropriately toward young women during recent traffic stops, officials said.

District Attorney Scott McNamara would not discuss the specific allegations, but he confirmed his office is reviewing the matter after he was contacted by the father of one of the women about a month ago.

“We’re looking into allegations of inappropriate behavior after the stop of the vehicle to determine whether or not it in fact took place, and if those actions rise to being criminal in nature,” McNamara said.

Upon hearing about the allegations, McNamara contacted Utica Police Chief C. Allen Pylman, who confirmed that his department was investigating the personnel matter, McNamara said.

Pylman then forwarded his department’s reports to the district attorney’s office for further review.

In the meantime, a second Utica police patrolman, Officer Brandon Jones, is under investigation by the district attorney’s office for allegations that he assaulted a person who might have been in handcuffs at the time.